Scody,
The academy classes typically go to 4 then from 4 to 5 you can go to an elective or not. Some past electives were:
Clogging with Eileen Carson Schatz
Practice Techniques John Moore
Songwriting Darrell Scott
Playing fretless instruments Rob Ickes Casey Driessen and Brin Davies
As Dustin said they change based on who is there and what they want to do. However, you get to pick from a number of choices that fit your interests. Not everyone goes, but I find them extremely interesting and beneficial. A couple years ago we got to sit and jam with Rob Ickes and Andy Leftwich for about 45 minutes
Listening to:
Real Time with Bill Maher